Dylan Harper stats last night: How did the projected top-5 pick fare vs Alabama? (Nov 27)

Rutgers star Dylan Harper showcased his versatility, but his efforts weren’t enough as the Scarlet Knights fell to No. 9 Alabama in a grueling 95-90 loss in the second round of the inaugural Players Era Tournament on Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

Harper followed up his 36-point performance against Notre Dame on Tuesday with a career-high 37 points in 37 minutes. He hit 11-of-19 field-goal attempts and 15-of-16 free throws, contributing two rebounds, two assists and two steals, but his night also included three fouls and four turnovers.

Standing 6-foot-6, Dylan Harper became the first Big Ten freshman in two decades to score 94 points over a three-game span and the first Division I freshman in that timeframe to achieve consecutive games with 35-plus points, according to ESPN Research.

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The five-star freshman wasted no time making his mark, scoring just five seconds after tipoff. Harper has scored 20 or more points in six of seven games, averaging 24.5 PPG for the season. He delivered his best game yet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with his father, former NBA star Ron Harper Sr., watching courtside.

Despite his standout performance, Dylan Harper emphasized his focus on the team’s loss rather than individual accomplishments. He expressed optimism about how the team’s struggles could prove beneficial as he and teammate Ace Bailey continue to develop in their first collegiate season.

"I think we just showed that we can compete with anyone in the country," Harper said postgame.

"I mean, obviously we fell short, but I feel like as a team, sometimes you have to fall short in order to have the season you want to have."

Rutgers struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 2-of-13 attempts for a dismal 15.3%. However, the team excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 30-of-35 attempts (85.7%).

Alabama dominated the boards, holding a 43-31 rebounding advantage, but Rutgers capitalized on 20 Crimson Tide turnovers, turning them into 23 points. Alabama advances to face Oregon in Saturday’s championship game, while Rutgers takes on No. 20 Texas A&M.

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Dylan Harper impresses Alabama coach

Despite Rutgers’ five-point loss to the Crimson Tide, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey combined for 59 points, leaving Alabama coach Nate Oats thoroughly impressed. Oats acknowledged the duo’s elite talent, placing them among the best freshmen he has seen in college basketball.

Oats admitted his team's struggles to contain Harper, whose layup with 2:23 left brought Rutgers within one point before Alabama sealed the game at the free-throw line.

"(Harper), I mean he pretty much gets to the rim whenever he wants," Oats said.

"We didn't have anybody that could stay in front of him on ball screens. We didn't do a very good job. I mean he's got some force, some physicality, some strength coming down the hill."

Dylan Harper’s performance left fans buzzing, with some speculating that he could challenge Duke star Cooper Flagg for the top spot in the NBA Draft.

Harper holds the two highest-scoring games by a freshman this season and is the first freshman in 20 years to record back-to-back 35-plus point games.